Niles economic survey results released

The Regional Chamber and the city of Niles released the results of a recent survey which asked residents and business owners what is the most important things that can be done to improve the economic health of the city.

So what did the survey find out?Most of the participants wanted the city to address two main issues: Clean up blight within the neighborhoods and address safety, drug and crime issues.Simply put, they want Niles to look better. Get rid of dilapidated buildings and try to get businesses into empty store fronts.

21 News asked people at Stoneyard Grill and Tavern what they thought would help bring people downtown.

Stoneyard owner, Brent Ross, said, "Number one there is parking, there is no where to park. If anyone did want to bring a business down here there's no parking. the buildings are old. They need to be remodeled."

One man who owns a business in Champion says he would have liked to have done it in Niles but there was too much talk by the city and not enough action.

"When we look to open a business we need incentives, reasons I want to come to that area to open a business and sometimes it's just a downright hostile atmosphere where we're not finding we are welcomed into this area or what we need to grow our businesses," according to Michael Walton.

The property owners in Niles, however, say they are interested in bringing young businesses to the downtown.

Attorney Curt Bogen said, "There's only so much oxygen or so much money to support businesses and that makes it tough on young businesses. But they come here and they get lower rents and the ability to start."

Business owners are hoping utility, tax and planning departments will be more friendly and accurate when dealing with potential new businesses.They also want an administration that is more proactive and involved.

(AP Photo/Lorin Eleni Gill). The city of Berkeley, Calif., sits in a dull, smoky haze Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018. The air quality has hit unhealthy levels in cities miles away as California's largest wildfire ever burns to the north.

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.More >>

No major wildfires are burning near Sacramento but for two weeks a dull haze and the faint smell of smoke from distant blazes has blanketed California's capital region.More >>

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke). In this Aug. 1, 2018 photo, Lauren Woehr hands her 16-month-old daughter Caroline, held by her husband Dan McDowell, a cup filled with bottled water at their home in Horsham, Pa. In Horsham and surrounding towns in eastern Penns...

Toxics used in nonstick cookware, fast-food wrappers and much more are turning up in public water systems in dozens of states.More >>

Toxics used in nonstick cookware, fast-food wrappers and much more are turning up in public water systems in dozens of states.More >>

(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File). FILE - In this Tuesday, July 19, 2016 file photo, Alex Jones, center right, is escorted by police out of a crowd of protesters outside the Republican convention in Cleveland. Facebook says it has taken down four pages b...

Guards came in contact with unknown substance

State Correctional Institution Green sent four employees to a local hospital for treatment, after they came into contact with an unknown substance. According to a press release, at around 7:00 p.m. four correction's officers began to feel sick. Prison officials then called for hazmat assistance. The area the officers were in was then isolated so that further contamination would be stopped. The corrections officers who came into contact with the substance were then taken by local EM...

State Correctional Institution Green sent four employees to a local hospital for treatment, after they came into contact with an unknown substance. According to a press release, at around 7:00 p.m. four correction's officers began to feel sick. Prison officials then called for hazmat assistance. The area the officers were in was then isolated so that further contamination would be stopped. The corrections officers who came into contact with the substance were then taken by local EM...

With the school year starting, the need to provide children with a healthy and safe school lunch begins too. Carmen Rottenberg, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at USDA said, in a press release, "As a mother, I understand the stress that comes with the start of a new school year, but preparing a safe lunch doesn't have to be a challenge. Simple steps like washing your hands and keeping food at the correct temperature can stop the spread of bacteria and keep your chi...

With the school year starting, the need to provide children with a healthy and safe school lunch begins too. Carmen Rottenberg, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety at USDA said, in a press release, "As a mother, I understand the stress that comes with the start of a new school year, but preparing a safe lunch doesn't have to be a challenge. Simple steps like washing your hands and keeping food at the correct temperature can stop the spread of bacteria and keep your chi...

Youngstown Fire could be putting out a 911 call of their own after a firefighter resigned in July. That one resignation has put the department under the required staffing level of 127 people needed to man the department, according to the requirements of the federal SAFER grant. So could that put the City of Youngstown in jeopardy of defaulting on a nearly half a million dollar commitment? Lieutenant Tony Ciccone, The President of the International Association of Firefight...More >>

Youngstown Fire could be putting out a 911 call of their own after a firefighter resigned in July. That one resignation has put the department under the required staffing level of 127 people needed to man the department, according to the requirements of the federal SAFER grant. So could that put the City of Youngstown in jeopardy of defaulting on a nearly half a million dollar commitment? Lieutenant Tony Ciccone, The President of the International Association of Firefight...More >>

Chieffo's Frozen Foods in Niles has voluntarily recalled its stuffed shells, which are sold in eight-count bags, due to a wheat allergen that was left undeclared. According to a press release, the recall is due to the fact that the ingredient label does not state wheat as an ingredient. The press release states that these products were available for sale prior to August 7 at stores throughout Northeast Ohio. The issue was found during a routine inspection by the Ohio Department of ...More >>

Chieffo's Frozen Foods in Niles has voluntarily recalled its stuffed shells, which are sold in eight-count bags, due to a wheat allergen that was left undeclared. According to a press release, the recall is due to the fact that the ingredient label does not state wheat as an ingredient. The press release states that these products were available for sale prior to August 7 at stores throughout Northeast Ohio. The issue was found during a routine inspection by the Ohio Department of ...More >>

The Portage County Sherrif's office is investigating an assault and robbery that took place on the Deerfield hike and bike trail in Deerfield Township around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. According to investigators, the attack is extremely similar to on that occurred on June 14. A news release stated that the victim of the assault had her bicycle, jewelry, handbag, clothing items and cell phone taken. The Sherrif's Department sent out a statement saying that are searching for a white male i...

The Portage County Sherrif's office is investigating an assault and robbery that took place on the Deerfield hike and bike trail in Deerfield Township around 7:30 p.m. on Monday. According to investigators, the attack is extremely similar to on that occurred on June 14. A news release stated that the victim of the assault had her bicycle, jewelry, handbag, clothing items and cell phone taken. The Sherrif's Department sent out a statement saying that are searching for a white male i...

A coalition opposed to the sale of Confederate flags at a county fair in northeast Ohio has posted billboards objecting to the sales. Jeanine Donaldson, executive director of the Elyria and Lorain YWCAs, told The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram that the Fair-minded Coalition of Lorain County has posted three billboards in Lorain County with funding from the Lorain YWCA. The billboards include the phrase: "Indivisi...

A coalition opposed to the sale of Confederate flags at a county fair in northeast Ohio has posted billboards objecting to the sales. Jeanine Donaldson, executive director of the Elyria and Lorain YWCAs, told The (Elyria) Chronicle-Telegram that the Fair-minded Coalition of Lorain County has posted three billboards in Lorain County with funding from the Lorain YWCA. The billboards include the phrase: "Indivisi...